Jason South (photo via Maximum Fighting.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Unlike many of the emerging fighters today, Jason South did not get into MMA as a means to compete after a collegiate wrestling or football career, nor did he have any previous training in martial arts. Instead, the Utah resident walked into a Unified BJJ when he was 29 years-old, and now several years later, he’s fighting for the Maximum Fighting Championship’s middleweight title.

“I started in jiu-jitsu; I never had a background as far as wrestling in high school, I never did anything,” South relayed on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio. “I started this whole sport when I was 29 years-old. I started with jiu-jitsu, at Unified Jiu Jitsu, and I took a fight about a year later and it’s just kind of blown up from there.”

Since making his pro debut in 2008, South has gone on to win 10 straight fights, and as a result, he’s been booked to fight established vet Sam Alvey for the vacant MFC belt this Friday in Edmonton.

“Now I’m training at Unified Jiu Jitsu but I’m also at the Pit Elevated as well,” the 34 year-old South added. “Just trying to keep surrounding myself with as many talented, tough guys as possible. I want to get as much growth out of myself as I can.”

One thing that immediately pops out when you look at South’s record, is that of his 10 wins, 9 have come via submission.

“To me it doesn’t matter,” said South, when asked if one area of his ground game stands out in particular. “I put myself in bad positions all the time. I try to take advantage of every position possible. I don’t think I have to be on my back; I don’t think I have to be on top, it doesn’t matter. I try to be as open minded as possible.”

“I want to consider, no matter where I’m at, I have an opportunity of grabbing something, somewhere, whether its strikes, or a submission, whatever. I’m a very open minded person and I try to keep my game a part of that as well.”

In Alvey, South will face a “Ultimate Fighter” and Bellator vet who has been stopped just once in his 20 plus fight career. The rugged, Team Quest fighter is coming off a first round, stoppage win over Jay Silva at MFC 37 this past May.

“It’s a fight so everything concerns me,” said South, when asked to assess the abilities of Alvey. “So, I’m just going to come in as prepared as possible and to do my best to impose my will on him…he loves to stand and bang, and likes to knock guys out, but I’ve never really showed a ton of my stand-up.”

“So many of my fights have just ended up on the ground, but no matter where it goes, I train stand-up constantly. No matter where it goes I’ll be ready for it.”

And as far as getting tapped for a title fight? In his MFC appearance?

“Yeah, very excited,” said South. “We’ve kind of talks to these guys here for the last year or so, and nothing really came about. The timing was right. Being able to jump right in and fight for a title, what more can I ask for?”

MFC 38 will be hosted by Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre on October 4th and will be broadcast live on AXS TV.